Key Takeaways
- Pre-orders Open: 1X has opened pre-orders for Neo, with deliveries in 2026. Priced at $20,000 or a $499/month subscription.
- Hybrid Model: Neo uses AI for basic tasks but requires remote human teleoperation to learn and perform complex actions.
- Privacy Concerns: Human operators having visual and operational access to private homes raises critical data security questions.
The domestic robotics sector is taking a significant step forward as pre-orders open for Neo, the new humanoid robot from startup 1X Technologies. Designed to enter homes as an assistant for daily chores, Neo introduces a hybrid operational model that, while promising advanced functionality, also raises critical questions about security and privacy.
Who is 1X Technologies and what is the Neo robot?
1X Technologies, a company with Norwegian origins now based in California, developed Neo with the goal of providing tangible help in the home environment. Unlike many prototypes confined to labs, Neo is specifically designed for the B2C (Business-to-Consumer) market, attempting to get ahead of high-profile competitors like Tesla Optimus or Figure.
The robot, standing approximately 1.68 meters (5.5 ft) tall and weighing 30 kg (66 lbs), is engineered to move and interact in spaces designed for humans. Its primary functions include tidying up, grasping and carrying objects, and interacting with home elements like light switches. The company plans to expand its capabilities in the future to include food preparation.
Technical specifications and capabilities (NVIDIA platform)
On the hardware side, Neo is built on the NVIDIA Jetson Thor, platform, an advanced system designed for AI and robotics tasks. For environmental perception, the robot is equipped with 8 MP cameras and a series of microphones, allowing it to visually and acoustically analyze its surroundings.
Neo Humanoid Robot: 1X Opens Pre-Orders Between Cost and Privacy
The hybrid model: How human teleoperation works
Neo’s most distinctive feature lies not just in its autonomy, but in its hybrid operational model. The robot is programmed to handle simpler tasks on its own. However, for complex activities or to train its neural network on new tasks, Neo relies on teleoperation.
This means that skilled human operators can connect to the robot remotely to guide it through a task. While this approach accelerates the machine’s learning (on-site training), it also introduces a significant privacy risk, as it implies external visual and operational access to the inside of a private home.
Price and availability: What the home assistant costs
The launch of Neo clearly positions it in the “early adopter” segment. 1X Technologies has opened pre-orders with deliveries expected in 2026, starting with the US market.
The cost reflects the technology’s complexity: a direct purchase is priced at $20,000. Alternatively, a monthly subscription model is offered for $499, suggesting a “robot-as-a-service” model even for private users.
The elephant in the room: Privacy implications
The opening of Neo’s pre-orders inevitably brings the debate on domestic robots and privacy to the forefront. The teleoperation system, necessary for training and advanced assistance, requires users to grant an unprecedented level of access to their homes.
While the company works to implement security protocols, the presence of a connected device, equipped with cameras and controllable from the outside, represents an ethical and technical challenge. Secure data handling and transparency about remote access methods will be determining factors for consumer trust and Neo’s long-term market success.
Neo Humanoid Robot: 1X Opens Pre-Orders Between Cost and Privacy
